The world's largest coffeehouse chain started the month reporting a 24% jump in adjusted fiscal Q4 profit, topping views, although sales just missed. Shares jumped 9% the day afterward, Nov. 2 — accounting for the bulk of the month's gain. On Nov. 15, the company boosted its buyback plan by 25 million shares, on top of the 12.1 million remaining in its prior plan.

For the month, Starbucks saw a 13% gain to 51.87, though the stock is still fighting to hold above its 200-day moving average.

Shares of the biotech maker of drugs to treat HIV, hepatitis and other diseases soared 14% Nov. 12 after it reported a 100% cure rate in a late-stage trial of a new drug it's testing for hepatitis C, leading analysts to speculate it may have a potential blockbuster on its hands.

The biotech, which sports a 96 Composite Rating out of a best-possible 99, has edged up to record highs since then.

The home improvement and building supplies chain is a smaller rival to industry leader Home Depot (HD). The two are benefiting from the rising housing market as contractors buy supplies and more confident homeowners spruce up their places.

Lowe's reported on Nov. 19 that quarterly profit climbed 11% to 40 cents, beating analyst views by 5 cents on higher revenue. For November, the company's stock gained 11.5% to close at 36.09.

Home Depot shares rose 6% to a 12-year high, but Lowe's has lagged its larger rival's stock and earnings growth in 2012.

The online marketplace and payment service provider via its PayPal unit was a big winner on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when most stores deeply discount products to launch the holiday shopping season.

Like top online retailer Amazon.com (AMZN), eBay benefited from increased use of mobile devices for shopping. EBay said volume of transactions on its website jumped 153% on Black Friday from a year earlier.

Shares rose 9.5% in November to a 52.82 close, the best levels since the start of 2005. Amazon, also a big S&P 100 winner, rose 8.2%

The global entertainment company, with holdings in TV, movies and publishing, rounds out the top five list. The parent of Turner Broadcasting, Warner Bros. Entertainment and HBO reported earnings on Nov. 7 that beat analyst expectations on surging TV ad sales. Shares climbed 4% that day, driving its stock above its 50-day average, where it stayed the rest of the month.